Combined camera and projector mechanism for moving-picture films



Sept. 25., 1923.

' M. KING COMBINED OANRRA AND PROJECTOR uEcHANIsM FOR MOVING PICTURE FILMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 med Aug. 2z, 1919 I mfenfor Sept. 1923.

25 M. KING COMBINED CAMERA AND PROJECTOR MECHANISM FOR MOVING PICTURE FILMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 22 1919 y l fr: fr,

by M/ @ma @www Sept. 25, 1923. f M. KING COMBINED CAMERA AND PROJECTOR MEOEANIsM FOR MOVING PICTURE FILMS Filed Aug. 22, 1919 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ki/z,

lfzz/efzor: /57 n /[lber and readily` removed; an

Patented Sept. 25, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

HELBEBT KING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-THIRD T0 CHARLES TURNER BROWN, O F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED CAIEBA AND PROJECTOR HECHANISH FOB MOVING-PICTURE FILMS.

Application nled August 22, 1919. Serial No. 319,140.

To all whmwt may concern.

Be it known that I, MELBEBT KING, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinols, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Camera and Projector Mechanism for Moving-Picture Films, of whichV the following is a specifcation.

This invention relates to mechanism, by means of which when it is enclosed and properly positioned in a dark boxy havin suitable lenses properly p'aced and focuse a moving picture film muy be exposed for the taking of views thereon in the manner usual in moving picture cameras, and also, when a moving picture film is placed in said mechanism enclosed as aforesaid in a dark box, and said box is provided with suitable lenses, said film may be projected in the usual manner of projecting moving picture films.

Among the objects of this invention are, to obtain a combined camera and projector mechanism' for moving picture films which is simple in construction, comprising few elements, not liable to be injured or to get out of order; a mechanism which is certain in its operation, and in which a moving picture film may be easily and uickly inserted d a mechanism which, when operated, is not liable to in 'ure, break or tear a film; a mechanism w ich is easily understood and operated by persons not particularly skilled in the art; and a mechanism which ma be readily converted from being opera le as a camera to one operable as a projector, and vice versa.

` A construction embodying this invention is illustrated inthe drawing acccom nying andforming a part hereof, in whi Fig. lis a vertical section on line 1-1 of Fig. 4, viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, with the several parts positioned to be used as a camera, and with a plate (which is illustrated in Fig. 4), removed, to expose to `View opera-ting parts' thereunder. f K

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a Geneva lock movement, on line 2-2 of Fig. 4, viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a. vertical section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.l

Fig. 4 is a rear end elevation.

Fi 5 is a horizontal section, on line '5--5 of Flg 1, viewed in the directionindicated by the arrows. i l

Fig. 6 is a silnilar section as is Fig. 1, viewed in.' the same direction, showinr so many of the parts as are illustrated in Fig. 1 as are necessary to indicate the position Athereof when the mechanism is used as a. pro'ecter, and positioned to insert a film.

i 7 is a detail, showing a portion of the hand e of the mechanism in top plan view.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the handle which is illustrated in Fig. 7.' p v Fig. 9 is an elevationY of the spindle and rotatable sleeve on which said hand-le is mounted.

Fig. 10 is a perspective of the film guide of the mechanism; and

Fig. 11 is a plan View of a portion of the 1 camera shutter.

A reference character applied to designate a given part indicates said part throughout the several figures of the drawing, Wherever the same appears.

X represents a base on which the mechanism is mounted; and which is adapted to be secured to one side of a dark box: X1 a plate forming a sub-base which is secured to base X, in spaced relation thereto, by means of posts X* and screws `X5r and X2 an additional sub base .which is also in spaced relation to base X, being mounted on posts or standardsv X8, X3.

A represents a spindle which is rigidl f secured, atl the end thereof, to base Spindle A serves as an axle on which the sprocket wheel C and its hub, (sleeve C1), rotates. The free end ofspindle A is represented as provided with the annular groove a and thel removable handle C2. by means of which the mechanism -is manually operable. Said handle is re resented as rovided with a longitudina/ly mxovable atch, C, which is engageable with said groove a, to retain said handle in position, A on the end of s'eeve C1. The handle C2 is represented as provided with studs C4, (Fig.v 7), and the latch Cs'is represented as having slots C, C", through which said studs ex'-v tend, permitting said longitudinal movement of the latch. Latch C-s is also representedv as provided with the keyhole slot C; the portion thereof of larger diameter fitting over the end of spindle A, and the portion 'of smaller diameter fitting the nol annular groove a. Handle C2 is also provided with a. hub, GT, having lugs or projections CS, C8, which lit into the re'esses C, C, (Fi 9)` in the end of sleeve C1.

Handle'2 being secured on the end of ,sleeve C1, as illustrated in Fig. 4, as last above described, rotation of said handle correspondingly rotates sleeve C1 and sprocket wheel C. Sleeve C1 is prevented from miovingl longitudinally on spindle A by set screw C10, fitting, at its inner end, in groove G11, (Fig. 4).

D, and E, respectively represent sprocket Wheels which are rigidly secured on sleeves (Z and e; and said sleeves are rotatably mounted on .spindles cZ1, e1. F represents a sprocket wheel Which is-mounted on shaft and said shaft is rotatably mounted in sub base X1 and bracket O, (hereinafter described). G represents an idler sprocket Wheel which is rotatably mounted on axle g. Axle g is rigidly secured in arm H. and said arm is pivotally mounted on post ZL. h1 represents a spring which yieldingly forces arm H inthe direction indicated by the arrows on said arm in Fig. l, thus forcing idler" .r against the sprocket chain I. Sprocket chain I extends over the sprocket Wheels C, D, E, and F; and Iwhen said sprocket Wheel C is turned to the right, by means of handle C2, as indicated by the arrow, (Fig.- l),r thereon, the sprockets D, E, F and (E are respectively rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows thereon; and continuous rotation of said handle produces continuous rotation of said sprocket wheels, and of the sleeves d and e.

J and K, respectively represent Wheels which are secured on sleeves (Z and e, to rotate therewith, and said Wheels are provided vvith teeth which are adapted to engage with the apertures common to moving' picture films; and as said wheels continuously rotate said films are continuously moved, being engaged therewith. I Toobtain the required step by step movement of the films through the guide L, hereinafter .specifically described, the Wheel M (see Fig. 2), is rigidly secured on shaft f; said Wheel having post m, thereon, an annular fiange m1, (said fiange being broken opposite said post), and said post being positioned to engage with recesses n of Wheel N, said wheel is rotated -by a step by step movement. Wheel N is rigidly mpunt-` ed on rotatable shaft N1, as are also Wheels n1, n1. The Wheels n1, n1 are provided with teeth adapted to engage with the apertures in moving picture films, in the same manner as d1 and e1. The step by step movement of said Wheels n1, n1, imparts a step by step (or intermittent) movement to the film, (indicated by the reference letter Y in Fig. l), which is placed in the machine. to extend over the several Wheels d1, e1 and a1, giving intervals of movement and rest to said film, as is required in moving picture cameras and projectors. z

Examination of Wheel M, Fig. 3, discloses that said Wheelis made with considerable body, or mass, thereto, tending to give uniformity tothe rotation thereof, notwithstanding the step by step movement imparted thereby to Wheel N, shaft N1 and wheels n.1, n1, on said shaft. Vheel'M acts,

therefore as a balance wheel in the above recited operation. Cross bar 0, which is secured to the plate X, by screws O1, O1, is provided with journal bearing for one end of shaft f, the other end of said shaft being in plate or sub base X1, vas hereinbefore stated. l

To ensure constant engagement of film Y with the toothed Wheelsl J, n1, and K, respectively, and at the same time permit a film to be readily placed thereon, with the teeth of said Wheels in corresponding aper tures adjacent to the edges of said film, the arms P, P1, are pivotally mounted on plate or base X, by means of pivots p, p1,- said arms being provided with frames Q, and Q1, having rollers g, g1, rotatably mounted thereon, and means (springs Q2, Q2), to

yieldingly hold said arms in position, with said rollers against said film Y, when said film is in operable condition. I

The free end of arms P, P1, carrying frames Q, Q1, respectively, may be forced back against the resiliency of springs Q2, Q2, When a film is to be placed on the several wheels J, K and n1. t

It will be observed that the frame Q1 is pivotally mounted, as by pivot g2, on arm P1, and that, as is illustrated in Fig. 1, one ofthe rollers g1-which is rotatably mounted' on rod g3, (said rod forming an element of said frame) is yieldingly held against the film on wheel n1, and the other of said rollers Q1, Vin said frame Q1, being mounted on rod r11 is yieldingly held against the film onV wheel K.

In Fig. 6 the roller (/1, which as last above recited, is yieldingly held against the film Y on toothed wheel n1, isillustrated as retracted against the resiliency ofV spring Q1, it beingr in the position to permit a film to be placed on said toothed wheel n1.

The guide L hereinbefore referred to is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 10. Said guide comprises base' Z, which is rigidly secured to light tube L1. and is provided with posts Z1, Z1, and sub-base Z1. Sub-base Z2 is rigidly secured to base Z, as by screws Z* represents a movable member which is mounted on posts Z1, Z1, Said posts extending through apertures provided therefor in said member., It also comprises springs L2, L2, whichI are mounted on posts Z1, Z1, so that one end thereof thrusts against subbase Z2, and theother end against Z, t0 yieldingly .determined spaced relation with base l, as

is illustrated in Fig. 1; with the film Y 'interposed betweensaid member l* and said base l. The base l and member l* and lsub base l?, are, respectively, provided with apertures which are designated by character L1, in Figs. 1 and 10. f

` `qleeve d, hereinbefore described as rotatably mounted on spindle d1 and attached to toothed wheel J, byfmegns of which the film Y is fed to guide L, is rigidly4 attached to disc r, said Adisc being rigidly attached to cam R, said cam to disc r1, and said disc to whee-l D. Said sleeve d, disc r, cam R, disc r1 and wheel D are illustrated as soldered or brazed together. to form an integral member which is rotatable on shaft or axle d1, said cam R being shown in section in Fig. 6 and y p p movement; and hence durlng the time sald said cam 'r1 and sprocket wheel D in elevation.

'By means of said cam R and mechanism about to be described, the movement of the shutter T, also about to be described, is obtained in timed relation to the step by step A 'l movement of thefilm Y hereinbefore recited. Shutter T is movable longitudinally in guide t. Guide t is rigidly attached toone end of light tube L1, (see Figs. 5and 6),'and is provided 'with aperture t1. T1 represents a plate which is provided with a light aperture. similar to aperture t1 in movable shut,- ter T, and positioned so that the movementof shutter T in guide t. causes said apertures to register when film Y is at rest, (stationary). The body part of said movable shutter T closes said aperture in said 'plate T1 when the film Y| is moving.

' and by means of link V said movement of.

. The timed longitudinal movement of ymovable shutter T is obtained by means of lever U, which is connected to'said shutter by.

link V, connected to abutment V1. Lever is plvotally mounted on fulc-rum u, which is secured in base X, and cam connection' Wis pivotally connected to lever U, by in u1l Gam connection W- is provided wit fork W1, which is engageable with. cam R, (see F 6 and 1). vSaid fork W1 being .in en# gagement with cam R, (as in Fig. 1), said cam connection-'W is moved substantially longitudinally by said cam, giving an angularmovement to lever U on its fulcrum u,

Said lever is transmitted to shutter T, producing the longitudinal movement 'thereof described.

The cam engaging fork-W1 being in engagement, as last above described, with cam 5 condition for use` as a projectorfor moving R, the hereinbefore described mechanism is operable asa camera mechanism for moving picture films. Maintenance of said cam engaging fork with said cam is yieldingly maintained by means of spring u1, (Fig. 1).

To convert saidmechanism into operable said Fig. l, to expose the parts thereundenM to view), and when in said slot W1, as illustrated in Fig. 6,l said cam connection is dis-v engaged from cam R.

It is to be observed that sprocketwheel D continuously feeds film Y to guide L, and sprocket Wheel E continuously discharges ysaid film; and that toothed wheel n.1 draws said film through said guide by a step by step toothed wheel and film are stationary a loop is made bv. said film between toothed wheels J land guide L, and between toothed Wheels n1 and K.

-To operate the mechanism as camera lmechanism the cam connection y,W isl placed in position with cam fork W1 in engagement with lcam R, a film is placed in the mechanism as illustrated in Fig. 1. and crank C2 'isturned in the direction indicated by the arrow on` sprocket wheellC` Fig. 1.

To operate as a projector mechanism the ram fork W1 is dis-engaged from cam R, and said handle is operated in the same direotion and manner as when used -as a camera mechanism, shutter T at said time being below the light aperture in plate T1, as in Fig. 6, and the ordi ary projector shutter being provided and a ranged to rotate in timed rela-tionv lto said mechanism;L

but said projector shutter and the means to attach and actuate it form no part of this invention.

1. A moving picture camera, comprising a film chute, means for movingl film through said chute. comprising a film sprocket, a cam Secured to said'film sprocket, means forv driving said sprocket and cam, a lens tube support, a shutter guide between said lens tube supportand said film chute. a shutter mounted to reciprocate in said guide, a lever for reciprocating said shutter, and

lmeans connected with-said lever and detachably connected with said cam for oscillating said lever. f e i 2. Chain driven mechanism including a cam, a fulcrumed lever, a cam connection attached to said lever and removably en-O gageable with said fam, in combination withy a shutter provided with alight aperture and a link conne^ting said lever and said shutter. and a stationary plate provided with a light aperture. 1

' 3. longitudinally movable shutter pro? ,vided with a light aperture and a stationary plate also provided with a light aperture, in'spaeed relation to said movable shutter, a fulcrum lever and a link connecting said lever and Said movable shutter, iny

combination with a rotatably mounted cam and a cam eonnertion, said connection attached to said lever and engageable with said cam, means to yieldingly hold said conneotion and cam engaged, means to intermittently move a moving pioture film. and

move a moving picture film intermittently in timed relation to the movement of said Cam and shutter moved thereby.

5. A rotatably mounted sprocket wheel. removable means-to manually operate said wheel, additional sprocket Wheels on rotatably mounted sleeves to turn therewith, wheels on said sleeves and a cam on one of said sleeves, a rotatably mounted shaft and wheels thereon, all said wheels provided with teeth adapted to engage with the apertures in a movable pivture film, yielding means to hold said film in engagement with said teeth. an additional rotatably mounted shaft and a sprocket Vwheel thereon, a Geneva look movement between said shafts arranged to move the first named shaft intermittently. a sprocket chain. in engage'- ment with all said sprmket Wheels, and means to hold said sprocket chain taut, a shutter provided with a light aperture, and a removable connection between said Cam and said shutter; all combined as set forth.

6. A rotatably mounted chain sprocket wbeehremovable means to manually operate said wheel, additional chain sprocket wheels and film sprorkets thereto arranged to turn in unison and a cam arranged to turn with one of said chain and film Sprockets. a rotatably mounted shaft and film sprockets thereon to turn therewith, yielding means to hold a moving picture film in engagement with said lilmsproekets, an additional rotatably moimted shaft and a chain sprocket wheel thereon. a Geneva look movement between said shafts arranged to move the first named shaft intermittently, a sprocket chain in engagement with all said Chain sprocket wheels and means to hold said chain tautwin combination with a shutter provided with a light aperture, and a removable connection between said cam and Vitnesses:

CHARLES TURNER BROWN, RAE LAKE. 

